Mark 54 LHT
Encyclopedia
The Mark 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo (LHT) is a standard 12.75 inch (324 mm) antisubmarine warfare (ASW) torpedo
used by the United States Navy
.
Integrated Defense Systems and the US Navy under the US Navy's Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo program in response to perceived problems with the extant Mark 50
and Mark 46
torpedoes.
The Mk 50, having been developed to counter very high performance nuclear submarines such as the Soviet Alfa
class, was seen as too expensive to use against relatively slow conventional submarines.
The older Mk 46, designed for open-ocean use, performed poorly in the littoral
areas, where the Navy envisioned itself likely to operate in the future.
The Mk 54 was created by combining the homing and warhead portions of the Mk 50 and the propulsion unit of the Mk 46, improved for better performance in shallow water, and with the addition of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to further reduce costs.
Developmental testing began in July, 1999, and a successful critical design review was completed in November, 1999.
In April 2003, Raytheon was awarded a sole source contract for the production of the Mk 54. Full rate production began in October, 2004.
The Mk 54 can be fired from surface ships via the Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes
or the vertical launch anti-submarine rocket
(ASROC) systems, and also from most ASW aircraft.
. In October 2010, Australia ordered 200 more torpedoes.
In June 2011, it was reported that India might buy 32 MK-54 All-Up-Round Lightweight Torpedoes and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $86 million through US Government's Foreign Military Sales program.
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
used by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Development
The Mark 54 was co-developed by RaytheonRaytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
Integrated Defense Systems and the US Navy under the US Navy's Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo program in response to perceived problems with the extant Mark 50
Mark 50 torpedo
The Mark 50 torpedo is a U.S. Navy advanced lightweight torpedo for use against fast, deep-diving submarines. The Mk-50 can be launched from all anti-submarine aircraft and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant ships. The Mk-50 was intended to replace the Mk-46 as the fleet's lightweight...
and Mark 46
Mark 46 torpedo
Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes, such as the Mark 46 Mod 5, are expected to remain in service until the year 2015...
torpedoes.
The Mk 50, having been developed to counter very high performance nuclear submarines such as the Soviet Alfa
Alfa class submarine
The Soviet Union/Russian Navy Project 705 was a class of hunter/killer nuclear powered submarines. The class is also known by the NATO reporting name of Alfa...
class, was seen as too expensive to use against relatively slow conventional submarines.
The older Mk 46, designed for open-ocean use, performed poorly in the littoral
Littoral
The littoral zone is that part of a sea, lake or river that is close to the shore. In coastal environments the littoral zone extends from the high water mark, which is rarely inundated, to shoreline areas that are permanently submerged. It always includes this intertidal zone and is often used to...
areas, where the Navy envisioned itself likely to operate in the future.
The Mk 54 was created by combining the homing and warhead portions of the Mk 50 and the propulsion unit of the Mk 46, improved for better performance in shallow water, and with the addition of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to further reduce costs.
Developmental testing began in July, 1999, and a successful critical design review was completed in November, 1999.
In April 2003, Raytheon was awarded a sole source contract for the production of the Mk 54. Full rate production began in October, 2004.
The Mk 54 can be fired from surface ships via the Mark 32 surface vessel torpedo tubes
Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes
The Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes system is a torpedo launching system designed for the United States Navy. The Mark 32 has been the standard anti-submarine torpedo launching system aboard United States Navy surface vessels since its introduction in 1960, and in use aboard the warships of...
or the vertical launch anti-submarine rocket
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...
(ASROC) systems, and also from most ASW aircraft.
Users
The Mark 54 is carried by the US Navy and the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
. In October 2010, Australia ordered 200 more torpedoes.
In June 2011, it was reported that India might buy 32 MK-54 All-Up-Round Lightweight Torpedoes and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $86 million through US Government's Foreign Military Sales program.
External links
- MK-54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo via FAS
- MK-54 at deagel.com